diff --git a/drivers/net/ethernet/realtek/r8169_main.c b/drivers/net/ethernet/realtek/r8169_main.c
index 0199914440ab..ee6c9c842012 100644
--- a/drivers/net/ethernet/realtek/r8169_main.c
+++ b/drivers/net/ethernet/realtek/r8169_main.c
@@ -5217,7 +5217,7 @@ static int rtl_get_ether_clk(struct rtl8169_private *tp)
 static void rtl_init_mac_address(struct rtl8169_private *tp)
 {
 	struct net_device *dev = tp->dev;
-	u8 *mac_addr = dev->dev_addr;
+	u8 mac_addr[ETH_ALEN];
 	int rc;
 
 	rc = eth_platform_get_mac_address(tp_to_dev(tp), mac_addr);
@@ -5235,6 +5235,7 @@ static void rtl_init_mac_address(struct rtl8169_private *tp)
 	eth_hw_addr_random(dev);
 	dev_warn(tp_to_dev(tp), "can't read MAC address, setting random one\n");
 done:
+	eth_hw_addr_set(dev, mac_addr);
 	rtl_rar_set(tp, mac_addr);
 }